While Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V is enjoying its time in the spotlight — after all, it's rumored to be the most expensive video game ever made and marketed at about $265 million — on the other end of the spectrum is an independent computer game also garnering its fair share of attention.

The Fullbright Co.'s debut title Gone Home has sold more than 50,000 copies in less than a month and has earned an average review score of 89 (metacritic.com).

After spending a couple of days wrapped in this indie hit, it's easy to see why it's winning the hearts (and wallets) of PC gamers — especially for those with a nostalgic leaning toward point-and-click adventure games popularized in the '90s.

While the slower-paced exploration game isn't for everyone, and it has no replay value, it's a refreshingly fun and atmospheric experience worthy of your time and $20 investment.

In Gone Home, it's 1995 and you arrive at your Portland home after spending a year away in Europe. Problem is, your family isn't there to welcome you. While roaming the rooms of the empty Greenbriar mansion — reading notes on crumpled pieces of paper, listening to cassette recordings and bypassing environmental obstacles — you'll eventually piece together the mystery of what happened here and why. Without spoiling anything, the story gets increasingly interesting the more you unravel it.

A screenshot from 'Gone Home.'(Photo: The Fullbright Co.)

Called an "interactive exploration simulator," Gone Home borrows elements from the once-popular adventure game genre, such as figuring out how to enter a locked room or cabinet, manipulating objects you find and placing clues in your inventory. You'll use the mouse to look around and click on objects (and right click to zoom in), while the WASD keys are used to move around.

While not too difficult of a game, it is possible to get stuck. Gone Home has so many rooms, closets, drawers and secret panels to sift through, and on three floors (and an attic), you will likely need to revisit areas to comb through for additional clues. But because the story is so engrossing, you won't mind clicking through the mansion a few times. (Worst-case scenario, the Web has text and video walkthroughs, if needed.)

In fact, the detailed environments, roaring rainstorm and convincing voice acting all make this first-person game an immersive, atmospheric experience. It's also fun to step back into 1995 and see archaic machinery like VCRs, cassette decks and answering machines.

Gone Home is the kind of game best played with the lights out and speakers (or headphones) cranked. As long as you have some patience, you'll no doubt lose yourself in this unique, story-driven adventure.

If you need a break from twitchy shooters or sports games, Gone Home proves indie games can compete with the big boys for your entertainment dollar.